Sindaghatta Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Karnataka

Address

Sindaghatta Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Sindaghatta, Karnataka 571426

Diety

Narayana Amman: Lakshmi

Introduction

Sindhaghatta is a small town near Krishnarajapete in Mandya district, Karnataka, close to the state highway of Channarayapatna – Mysore. The town has two little known Hoysala temples, one of them being the worshiped Lakshmi Narayana Temple. It is a single shrine temple with the inner carvings indicating the same beauty one gets to see in most well known Hoysala temples, but the outer walls are devoid of any carvings. The main deity is Lord Lakshmi Narayana, a form of Vishnu who is carrying Lakshmi on his lap, as can be seen in Adagur. Inscriptions found in and around the town date the temple back to the times of king Vishnuvardhana, but according to those records, the temple continued to receive funds even during the reins of Veera Ballala II. Year 1179 AD appears to be the time of completion of construction of the temple.

Puranic Significance

The temple of Lakshminarayana built upon a raised jagati is assignable to 12th century AD non ornate variety of Hoysala style of architecture. The extent portion on plan has a square garbhagriha, asukanasi, a pillared navaranga and a pillared mandapa. The adhisthana mouldings are derived into friezes uncarved in the region of garbhagriha. The bhitti is veryaustere. The kapota is marked with offsets over which less conspicuous eave with kudu arches support an ekatala stepped pyramidal Dravida sikhara in the region of sanctum. The tala is composed of karnakutas at corners and a large sala intervened by panjara motif. A prominent griva supports a kuta stupi with finial at top. The kuta stupi sculptured with kirtimukha decoration at corners. Entrance steps to jagati are flanked by minlature shrines, the superstructures of which are lost. The pillared porch in front is provided with kakshasana on either side of the steps. The Lakshminarayana image in the garbhagriha is a fine piece of Hoysala workmanship. The complex is enclosed by a dilapidated prakara with an entrance mandapa on the east.